A 2-post car lift is a large steel structure, consisting of 2 folded or rolled steel columns, or posts with 2 arms on each post used to raise cars for each access to the wheels, side and underside of the vehicle. Each post contains a motor and these turn large screws inside the columns, each of which has a lifting nut and safety nut at each side. The lift nut is what supports the arms of the 2 post lift, and rollers on either side support a smooth lifting process. The two posts of the car lift are also connected via a set of cables or chains, often referred to as equilibrium cables, which run either above or below between the posts and ensure that each of the 2 post lifting screws is synchronised and that they raise and lower at the same rate, to keep the car being lifted stable, despite any weight differences on the 2 sides of the vehicle.
The minimal concrete depth that we recommend for a two-post car lift installation is between 150mm (6 inches) and 250mm (10 inches). Lift manufacturers and several lift installation engineers use the absolute minimum recommended depth of 100mm or 4 inches of concrete, but due to the excessive weight and forces imparted by a 2-post lift at the floor bolts and base, we would always recommend deeper concrete than this. A two-post car lift is usually mounted onto an existing concrete surface, though this must be tested and confirmed as both level and of a suitable depth prior to beginning the lift installation. On occasions where the depth of concrete is found to be too thin, not structurally sound, or uneven, the existing floor may need to be dug out and relaid with deeper and correctly levelled concrete to meet the minimum requirements. Your 2 post lift supplier or engineer will be able to test the concrete and advise if the depth and concrete is suitable for the lift you are planning to install. Speak to Concept Garage Equipment as we can help with this prior to any purchase or lift installation taking place.
All two-post car lifts must be thoroughly examined by a competent person before they are first used (as per HSE803/69). This could be by the installing garage equipment company for example. A thorough examination of the 2-post car lift is also required following ‘exceptional circumstances, for example, if a lift is damaged following improper use, failing parts that needed to be repaired or replaced, following a lift failure or fall, and following long periods of use. Please note, the thorough examination of a two-post car lift is not a replacement for the regular routine maintenance of the lift which must be completed regardless of usage or failure of the vehicle lift. Lift maintenance is required under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and applies to all work equipment including car lifts, and this states: Maintenance 5.—(1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. (2) Every employer shall ensure that where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept up to date.
The 2 main types of 2-post car lifts are known as symmetrical and asymmetrical and can be easily identified by examining the length of the 2 arms on each side of the car lift. The symmetrical two-post car lift has arms of equal length, and the vehicle sits at the centre equidistant between the 2 arms on each side, and the weight is distributed evenly across the 2-post lifting arms. The asymmetric 2 post car lift has one arm on each side of the lift slightly longer than the other, and this allows you to position the vehicle slightly further back on the 2 post car lift, meaning that most of the vehicle weight is taken on the rear arm on each side of the car lift, the benefit being that it makes it easier to open the doors to access the interior, without impacting the column on that side of the car.
The 4-post car lift has 4 supporting posts or columns, which support 2 ramps or platforms, and it’s upon these platforms that the car will be held whilst the columns raise these into the air. This means that all 4 columns of this type of car lift must be secured to the floor, making the footprint of this kind of car lift white large, and larger still if this is a commercial vehicle lift, and not just for cars. The 2-post lift however only requires 2 posts or columns secured to the ground, each has 2 arms that extend inwards and can be moved into position under a car to meet the best lifting areas of the chassis. These arms come fitted with pads that prevent damage to the underside of the car whilst the arms are lifted into the air, thus raising the vehicle.
Both types of car lifts have their benefits, and it often comes down to 5 main factors
If you have plenty of space in your garage or MOT Bay, then the 4-post lift will always be the more stable and secure of these types of car lift, however, this comes at an additional cost, and in general, a 4 post lift will not lift a car as high as a two post lift, due to the fact the platforms hang underneath the lifting arms on a 4 post lift. However a 2 post lift takes up a fraction of the room of its 4 post equivalent, and prices tend to be significantly lower for 2 post car lifts, often half the price for a 2 post car lift in fact. As the 2 post lifts can lift a car higher, you do need to ensure that the ceiling height restrictions are adhered to before committing to the installation of a two-post lift. However, for low-profile vehicles, the two-post lift is not usually the best option, due to the way the arms of the lift are inserted underneath the car prior to lifting, generally, a specialist low-profile 4-post lift is better for this kind of vehicle lifting.
Yes, two post-car lifts can be used for home garages either for working on your own vehicles or for storage purposes, however, if you have space we would recommend a four-post lift over a 2-post lift for longer-term storage or storage of heavier cars. They provide stable locking platforms for raising and storing your vehicle, freeing up floor space in your garage. This is particularly useful if you have multiple vehicles or limited parking space. Concept Garage Equipment offers four-post lifts that are particularly suitable for storage applications, ensuring your vehicle remains securely elevated for extended periods if necessary.
There are several costs to consider when purchasing a 2-post lift, these include
Budget 2 post lifts can range from under £2000 to purchase, however, please ensure you have all other items above factored in, and also that the warranty supplied with your 2 post lift is right for you.
Generally, to install a standard full-rise 2-post car lift you need a ceiling height of at least 11 feet (or 3400mm). There are 2 post lifts that will work with a lower ceiling height, which are called low-rise or mid-rise lifts, so please be aware of the 2-post car lift you are purchasing and the specific height requirements for it, which you should be able to either see online or by calling Concept Garage Equipment today.
The position of a car on a 2 post lift varies depending on the type of 2 post lift being used, there are Symmetrical and Asymmetrical 2-post car lifts, and you need to know which type of two-post lift you have before attempting to position or lift a vehicle
Car position on an Asymmetric two-post lift
A pillar for 2 post car lift post positioning
As the asymmetric 2-post car lift has one arm on each side of the lift slightly longer than the other, you must position the car such that the lift posts are in line with the “A” pillar – this is the upright pillar at the front of the windscreen which connects between the bodywork and the roof to support the windscreen (see image for details), such that about 30% of the car is in front of the 2 post car lift, and about 70% behind the lift posts. Position each lift pad under the car manufacturer’s recommended lifting points, with the longer of the 2 arms supporting the rear of the car and the shorter arms supporting the front.
Car position on a Symmetric two-post lift
As the symmetrical two-post car lift has arms of equal length, the vehicle will sit at the centre equidistant between the 2 arms on each side, hence you must position the car so that both lift posts are in line with the centre of the vehicle. Position each lift pad under the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended lifting points.
Safety notes before and during 2-post lifting on both Symmetric and Asymmetric two-post lifts
Do not use 3rd party blocks or wooden wedges to compensate if the lift pads do not engage properly, you should have suitable replacement lift pads to compensate for any shortfall, but contact your 2-post lift supplier if you do not have these. Always double-check the position of the arms and lifting pads, and also lift the car very slightly from the ground and do a final rock of the vehicle to ensure it is stable before lifting fully.
If a two-post car lift is properly installed and meticulously maintained there should be no significant problems and the lift should give you excellent service for years to come, however, if it’s problematic here are a few things to check.
We highly recommend if you experience any of the above issues that you contact your lift manufacturer or supplier at the earliest opportunity to have the issue resolved by a professional engineer and remove any risk to yourself, colleagues or vehicles.
If you experience a catastrophic failure of your two post car lift, and the issue is not something obvious that can be easily resolved with no risk to you or your garage mechanics or vehicles within the workshop, then please contact your lift manufacturer or supplier at the earliest opportunity to have the issue resolved by a professional engineer.
We have engineers available to help with all aspects of lift repairs and can deal with all makes and models of 2-post lifts.
The monthly inspection of your 2 post car lift should include the following checks
Regular inspection and lift maintenance is required under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and applies to all work equipment including car 2 post lifts.
Before, during, and particularly after a long period of not being used, all lifts need to be checked to ensure no damage has been done, and that all parts are operating properly before using the lift to raise or lower a vehicle, this helps to ensure the lift is being maintained correctly and also helps address any safety concerns before they ever become an issue.
We supply Garage Equipment from every major garage equipment manufacturer and have a vast array of engineers across the UK who can service any vehicle lifting equipment you have, regardless of whether or not you purchased this from Concept Garage Equipment.
Concept Garage Equipment sells 2 post car lifts online and over the phone, including delivery, installation and staff training in the correct use of the two post car lifts or any other garage equipment up to a full MOT Bay. Call us today on 0113 469 0572, we are here to help.
The GEA’s aim is to act as a single focal point for our members, representing their interests within the Automotive Industry, and in liaison with other professional bodies and Government organisations.
